{"product_id":"9780712357012","title":"How to Cure the Plague: And Other Curious Remedies","description":"\u003cbr\u003eToday we are used to reaching for a painkiller when we get a headache, we take anesthetics and antibiotics for granted, and we would not dream of making our own medicines. But until a century ago, that was far from the case, and people had to seek their own remedies or depend on far-from-reliable doctors and apothecaries for everything from an ingrown toenail to amputation. \u003ci\u003eHow to Cure the Plague\u003c\/i\u003e presents a stark reminder of the days when remedies were based on guesswork or superstition, and people swallowed bizarre or revolting mixtures; yet it was not all \"toads and brandy\"—many herb-based treatments formed the basis of modern medicines. This new book presents a fascinating illustrated compilation of some of the most curious and disturbing cures from history, from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Examples: 19th-century treatment for asthma: \"Live a fortnight on boiled carrots only. It seldom fails.\" An Anglo-Saxon treatment for warts: \"For warts take hound's urine and mouse's blood, mixed together, anoint the warts with it, they will soon go away.\" How to stop hiccups in 1607: \"Take thy finger ends, and stop both thine ears very hard, and the hiccup will cease immediately.\" A Tudor remedy for bedwetting: \"A mouse rotted and given to children to eat remedieth wetting the bed.\" Eighteenth-century first aid: \"Take ripe puff-balls. Break them warily and save the powder. Strew this on the wound and bind it on. This will absolutely stop the bleeding of an amputated limb without any cautery.\"","brand":"British Library Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47056497541360,"sku":"9780712357012","price":14.91,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9780712357012_p0.jpg?v=1763623604","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9780712357012","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}